Government together with the Solomon Mahlangu family in company with the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) and the National Heritage Council (NHC) to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the late Solomon Kalushi Mahlangu on Saturday, 6 April 2019 under the theme “The Fruits of Freedom on the 25th Anniversary of Democracy”.
Government legislatures and the Mahlangu Family will take the 52 steps to the Gallows, as they observe the re-enactment of Solomon Mahlangu’s final moments before execution.
The year 2019 marks the 40th anniversary of the commemoration of the execution of 22 year old Umkhonto we Sizwe combatant, Solomon “Kalushi” Mahlangu, in recognition of his commitment to the struggle for liberation in South Africa and his unbreakable spirit.
Born on July 10, 1956, the second son of Martha Mahlangu and originally from Mpumalanga, although, he grew up in Pretoria. His mother a domestic worker took sole responsibility for his upbringing. Tried and convicted of two murders and three counts under the Terrorism Act, after being arrested in 1977 upon his return from Mozambique and Angola where he underwent training to assist in the student protests at the time.
He was hanged on 6 April in 1979.
Members of the media are invited to the commemorative events scheduled to take place as follows:
Part One: Visit to the Gallows
Date: Saturday, 6 April 2019
Venue: The Gallows, Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Facility, City of Tshwane
Time: 5h00
Part Two: Wreath laying ceremony
Date: Saturday, 6 April 2019
Venue: Mamelodi West Cemetery
Time: 8h30-11h00
Part Three: Solomon Mahlangu memorial lecture
Date: Saturday, 6 April 2019
Venue: University of Pretoria, Vista Mamelodi Campus, City of Tshwane
Time: 14h00-16h00
Media RSVP: Petunia Lessing on 066 301 4645/ petunial@dac.gov.za or Takalani Mukwevho on 082 227 9308/ takalanim@gcis.gov.za
For more information, please contact:
Asanda Magaqa:
Cell: 072 327 6807
E-mail: asandam@dac.gov.za
